I want to start bartending where should I try first?

Question

hey I'm 20 and i want to start bartending, however I don't have any expierence. Where should I try to barback/ waitress to get my foot in the door? What kind of restaurant or bar? Can you give me some places I should try?

Answer 1

As another person said, start with school.  But some restaurants, if you start out waitressing, will sometimes offer bar-tending shifts during slow hours for people who want to pick up experience.

You can't expect however to just walk into a bar and say, "Hey I want to sling beers" and they'll give you a job.  Bar-tending is a rather well-paid job and requires more than the ability to pop the cap on a bottle of brew.

Answer 2

A lot of places hit up graduates of a short bartending program. You won't have to look far - they'll come looking for you.

Answer 3

First, you should wait until you are 21.  Not legal.  and any little local place, especially if you know the people there, is a good way to get your foot in the door.

Answer 4

Don't go to bartending school (i.e. don't waste the money) unless the job you are applying to requires such an endevour (usually only hotels and casinos ask for that kind of stuff)

Also, most states don't require a license either. Depending on what state you live in you need ot make sure of the age requirements (most states require that you are 21 years old and that's it, some want you to get a state license...etc...) Just check the laws for your state (go here: http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/StateAn...

The most important thing that you should do is pick up the Bartender's Black Book (you can usually find it at a local package store, if not order it from Amazon). It has thousands of recipes, Plus all the basics, terms, and measurements you need to memorize immediately. Learning your pour count, knowing how to make a Long Island, a Martini, a Cosmo, how to tap a keg, etc...

Other than knowing how to pour drinks and serve drinks quickly, the main thing a bartender has to do is listen/talk to people. Make sure you are a people person. You have to love to listen too, especially to drunks. You also want to be up to date on local stuff (where the best entertainment spots are, the nearest hotel, the cab's number, etc...) You also need to have at least two jokes you can pull from memory. One dirty, and one you could tell your mother. Both have to be funny. Also be up to date on all sports scores, especially on local teams. Know who is playing who and at what time (make sure to have it on the TV too).

When starting out, it may be tough to get a job. The best thing to do is to apply to all the places that cycle through bartenders/barbacks a lot (like restaurants, hotel bars, etc...) Then find bars that you like personally and become somewhat of a regular at those places. Get to know the other bartenders, owners, managers, and then in a few months drop the line that you would be willing to work for them. Start out as a barback and work your way up. Most small bars are run like families anyway. You will have to know your fellow employees well. That is how I got my first two bartending jobs and eventually made it to bar manager.

Bartending is an extremely fun job. You will meet tons of people and hear lots of interesting stories. Plus you will know alcohol better than the back of your hand. I find it to be quite rewarding when it comes to the bank account too.

Good Luck and Have Fun!

Answer 5

Go to bartending school.

Answer 6

First, bartending school is a waste of money. I bartend in atlanta and can pull down 1100 easy in a week and no bar where you make close to that type of money will accept placement from a bartending school. If you want to work in a bigger bar, im assuming your a girl, youll prolly have to start as a waitress  and I wouldgo to a place you know as you will prolly get hired quicker. After a couple of months let them know you want to start to learn to bartend plus you will pick up on things just working. Most bigger bars only promote bartenders from within (barbacks/waitresses) so they appreciate how hard it is to barback/waitress. The bar I first worked at didnt like to start training bartenders until after a year but if it is slow most bartenders will show you stuff. Once you work as a waitress/barback you realize how easy it is to bartend and the money is good so it takes a while but its worth it.

Answer 7

a bar